Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members at The Pensions Regulator (TPR) will hold 12 more days of strike action in February and March over an ongoing pay dispute.

Staff previously raised concerns after being offered only a 3 per cent increase in pay, despite the government making an improved pay offer to all civil service and related areas of a £1,500 lump-sum payment and an increase in the pay remit from 2 per cent to 4.5 per cent.

PCS members at TPR have since taken more than seven weeks of strike action in relation to the pay dispute, with PCS branding TPR's pay deal as "unacceptable".

The union said that it took the decision to hold further strike action due to the “continued intransigence” of the regulator, and its refusal to engage further to resolve the dispute.

It also revealed that membership at its branch at TPR has more than doubled during this time, increasing from 150 to over 350, which it highlighted as demonstration of strength of feeling among TPR staff.

However, whilst the union argued that the walkouts have so far seriously disrupted the operation of TPR, a spokesperson for TPR said that the regulator has a plan in place to minimise disruption.

Commenting on the new strike dates, a spokesperson for TPR said: "We are disappointed by the announcement of further industrial action. What we pay staff is fair and this year our lowest paid workers received a pay rise of 6.25 per cent.

“After months of meetings, we have now exhausted negotiations for last year’s pay and are now looking ahead to next year. We are continuing to deliver for savers and have plans to minimise disruption when strike action takes place.”

The new dates will be 28 and 29 February and 1, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20 March.

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